Jose Hernandez

Jose Hernandez, San Pedro Resident

“Today there is another problem; I’ve always worked for the town council and yesterday morning the boss called me immediately. She told me, “Mr. Jose: Bring the key, Andres Perez wants the van and its key.” That’s what she told me.  They didn’t inform me that I was fired or anything. They just call me and say, “Bring the keys” and that’s it. I mean, I don’t know, they should notify me. As far as I understand, that’s how it goes. Two weeks in advance they notify you that you are fired. They also haven’t paid me Social Security. Nothing. I have been working for the town council since before the pandemic, but there was a pause once. When I started again, that’s when they fired me from the job. I have five children, I can’t and don’t have money to give each of them their twenty dollars so they can go to school and have lunch money. I live ten miles north from the center. So, I am far away. And well, with those twenty for each one, it’s for them to have lunch. But now I have no job and I don’t have money either.”

Hernandez Rejects ‘Disingenuous’ Land Allegation

The back and forth over land ownership in San Pedro has taken a more personal turn. Jose Hernandez is refuting claims that he tried to secure a second land title while his wife already had one. Area Representative Andre Perez accused Hernandez of being “disingenuous” about his family’s land situation, but Hernandez says that’s simply not true. He’s now making it clear that he and his wife have been separated for three years, and that the land she acquired is hers, not his. Hernandez insists he’s only been trying to secure a piece of land for himself because, as he puts it, he currently doesn’t own any.

                  Jose Hernandez

Jose Hernandez, San Pedro Resident

“ Well, Mr. Heredia, who was from the red party, gave her a piece of land and gave me a piece of land. I can’t rely on something that isn’t mine, it’s not in my name, that’s my wife’s, it’s not mine. I can’t depend on that land, because to begin with we have issues that aren’t very good, but I am attentive to the children, who are five. I am always keeping an eye on them and taking care of them. She was on the land that Mr. Heredia gave her, but the same thing happened to her. The PUP took it away, Mr. Pérez took that land from her and gave it to someone else. I don’t know how she applied for that, and well, she managed to get the land. Well, that’s her thing anyway. But the land that I have, that Mr. Heredia gave me, Minister Andre Perez comes and takes it away from me. It’s not the same when things are for my wife, and when things are mine. What is mine is mine; what is hers is hers. I don’t count on hers.”

A simple political jab has now morphed into a deeper fight over family ties, fairness, and who actually has a rightful claim.

Perez Says Hernandez’s Termination Was Inevitable

Perez isn’t letting Hernandez’s claims slide. He says he had nothing to do with Hernandez being fired from the San Pedro Town Council. According to Perez, once he reached out to the council, he was told that parents had filed repeated complaints about Hernandez’s performance, and that his termination was already in motion long before the political noise. Perez says it’s “unfortunate” that the opposition is now using Hernandez’s situation to score political points. Here’s how he puts it.

On the Phone: Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“I actually had to inquire why he was terminated. I knew the issues with him and did not know the specifics. But I have gotten the information from the council. Apparently, he was not performing at the standard of what is expected of him. He was hired as the driver to take students from the North Ambergris area to bring them to school. But I understand from the council that the parents complained a lot about him not being on time. I think they were telling that the children would not be reaching until after six to North Ambergris because he would stop at different places and the children are saying they are reaching late because of that. At no time did I request to hand over the keys. The van is for school purposes. It was donated by my office but handed over to the town council to manage the driver, the maintenance and if their parts to be replaced then they reach out to me and I will replace the parts. But I have nothing to do with the hiring or firing of this gentleman. I am a bit saddened that the opposition is going to use this poor gentleman for political gain and they are using the woes of a person for political mileage. But he has done his media rounds and I will respond, he claims that the land he is squatting on that he has developed it. But I have the proof and I will send the screenshots of what we have, up until 2021 there was no kind of activity on that property.”

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Speaking Out Against Perez Allegedly Costs Hernandez His Job first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Wally Nunez, San Pedro Mayor

“There have been some allegations, but I believe that this has been like a sabotage to my integrity, from the UDP’s standpoint. All of these things have been said on Facebook, on their page. It is all false allegations, so I don’t know where they’re coming from but I know that they are trying to attack me personally, than trying to figure out what is happening in the town council, because in the town council, as every the people can see, we have been working very hard throughout the two terms. We continue the work and we will continue work for the people of San Pedro.”

Isani Cayetano

“Mayor, if I could look at a few of the things that are being said against you by the opposition, there’s one with Nupalm and something that has to do with another bar and people working overtime who are employed by the town council. Can you speak to that?

Wally Nunez

“Definitely. Nupalm is a company where I am just a shareholder. Nupalm has been operating as a lounge, it is not necessarily a nightclub. But the lounge has a different license which is actually a members club. That club has been operating ever since, before I was mayor and it had to go through a lot of different things to meet the requirement, especially when it comes to soundproofing, when it comes to double doors and how we gte people in and out of that establishment. We have different exit points. But there are allegations that there have been workers from the town council working there. There are a lot of workers at the council that work in different other businesses. They do have other jobs. As long as they come in and they clock in at the council, they get paid for what they work at the council and there are a lot of workers that do have second jobs and they go in different other places to work. So I don’t see any issue with that.”

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Mayor Addresses Growing Controversy Over Online Allegations first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                    Jose Hernandez

Jose Hernandez, San Pedro Resident

“Minister Andre Perez took away my land where I have lived for eleven years. My children have grown up. When I moved there, there was no street. And I have struggled a lot to get to where I am now, and it is not fair that today another person comes with another title. I have papers here showing that I started paying for everything. I paid five hundred and fifty dollars that had to be paid first. And then I applied for the purchase price. Here I have another receipt showing a zero balance, and I applied for the purchase price. Two months later, they told me it was already approved. On December fifteenth, some other person now has title for it.”

                       Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“I want to refer to an issue about a gentleman who stood by his side stating that he was displaced. Let me be clear. Yes, he showed documents. He did show documents. I do respect the man. Actually, he works for the town council. He drives the bus that we, as a representative, I provided a school bus for the children that live up North Ambergris. It’s part of my CDF funds. We bought a van to bring down the students. And he’s the designated driver that is paid for by the town council. He represents the actual, what people think that the government doesn’t know. His wife had a piece of property. He didn’t say he had a piece of property, but he was squatting on a piece of property next to his wife and saying that he got displaced. So I said, listen, the one beside your wife seems to be available. Let’s proceed. And then I’ll assist you to get that property for your wife. And then you can move your building on the land and it’s all over. So he agreed and we did that process to get the title for his wife. So, we were unbeknownst to us. We thought that everything was fine.”

With each side holding firm to its account, the dispute is shedding new light on how land decisions are handled and shared with the public.

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Perez Counters Accusation in Heated Ambergris Caye Land Dispute first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                             Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“Listen, that project has been ongoing and they have gotten their clean licenses and everything. As per law, they got their license working along with the town council because they did get sand from, the council got sand from the company. But it’s  legitimate, done their studies and I think by now they’re about to be wrapping up. It’s an area that is privately owned. It is not government owned land that was acquired by anyone. Those lands have been privately owned and the private owners bought it and they did their work by dredging that specific area that actually was shallow. That eventually many boats there, especially water taxis, were having trouble. So basically, they were just clearing an area that is traversed by many vessels. So really and truly, I do not see in any way that that should be any problems, but rather opening up the channel for more vessels to be able to move there. Because the waters over there are very shallow. So it has its pros and cons, but in the end, that channel has been cleared up.”

Paul Lopez

“Can you divulge what their plans are?”

Andre Perez

“I have no idea. I think that is something that is going to be a development for housing or condos, whatever. I have no idea, but it’s private. So they decide what they want to do it.”

Dredging Debate Deepens Just as Sargassum Surges Ashore

Even as he defends the project and the clearing of shallow channels for marine traffic, Perez is also facing another challenge along Belize’s coastline: the early arrival of sargassum. With coastal communities already seeing mats of seaweed drift ashore, the Ministry of Blue Economy is scrambling to deploy barriers, equipment, and long‑term strategies to repurpose the invasive biomass, underscoring the mounting pressures on Belize’s marine environment from multiple fronts.

                        Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy

“You know, it’s always concerning, but we have been preparing especially. I did mention also when we had the Open Your Eyes show is that we’re planning out as a Sargassum task force about getting the funding. The barriers are going to be installed. We’re getting beach rigs, especially for Placencia. You know, it’s from all angles we’re going to be working. And of course, we have to get those up and running because they’re being serviced right now. The harvesters, we are going to be getting equipment to receive the machinery to put in place. So it’s all hands on deck. It’s going to be a constant battle, but it’s not something that we’re sitting on our laurels, but we are planning that as the Sargassum season comes in, we are prepared for it.”

Paul Lopez

“But realistically, how much people can you help? I mean, it appears as if given the amount of Sargassum, you and your team will be overwhelmed.”

Andre Perez

“We will, but it doesn’t mean… Well, that is where we have to talk about long-term plans, whereby we are engaging with companies who will be able to come in and convert that material into energy. That is also a long term process, but it’s also in discussions as to get the Sargassum and at the same time trash to convert into energy. And that is something that is going to be a long term project. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s something that Sargassum is here to stay with us. So we need to work along with it. We don’t have the answers this year, but certainly in the next three, four or five years, there’s going to be a plan that we are able to harness the Sargassum and trash to turn it into energy, waste energy.”

Caye Caulker Village Council Blocks Controversial Sand Trade

What started as a routine update on Caye Caulker’s road woes has now sparked a full‑blown public rejection of Area Representative Andre Perez. Last week, Perez told News Five that one idea on the table is a swap: send white marl from Ambergris Caye to Caye Caulker in exchange for sand, a resource the island has in short supply. But tonight, the Caye Caulker Village Council is shutting the door on that proposal. Council leaders say Caye Caulker’s sand isn’t up for trade; it’s a limited natural asset they want protected for residents and future development. They also argue San Pedro’s struggles with white marl are a red flag, pointing out that when the weather turns wet, those marl‑filled roads turn to mush and become nearly useless. And there’s more. The Council says any dredging tied to this exchange could harm fishermen who rely on nearby traditional fishing grounds. They insist no agreement was ever reached, despite discussions with Perez, and residents echoed that stance at a recent public meeting. Tonight, the Village Council is drawing a clear line: protect the island’s resources, put the community first, and leave Caye Caulker’s sand where it is, and they’re calling on the Area Representative to respect that decision.

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Zetina Flags Risks as Perez Defends Dredging   first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                         Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“It is going to happen. That’s for sure. In the next less than three or four years, we’re going to start to develop this new international airport. It’s going to be catering not only for Ambergris Caye, but I did mention at the very beginning, we’re talking about fixed base operations, which is very important. And I did mention as well, I’m highlighting how the Bahamas, how they really do benefit from this fixed base operations, whereby they have a lot of private aircrafts. These wealthy families who like to travel for convenience, to travel to the places where they want to land quickly and want to reach their condos. So, we believe that providing that industry in San Pedro and having these private aircrafts come to San Pedro in the next fifteen to twenty minutes, they clear customs, immigration, BAHA, and the next fifteen to twenty minutes, they’re right there in their condo. And then the service of these aircrafts staying there for security reasons, there’s a cost to stay every day. But these people don’t mind. They are willing to pay for every day to leave their private aircrafts on that airport. And there’s a fee for it. So there’s money to be made. In that context, I believe that the international airport can do that. At the same time also, it will design for the local airlines that they will have to bring in larger aircrafts. Because as you know, the PGIA is actually the busiest airport in the entire Central America. So what that means that they have more landings and taking offs than any other airport. But that’s a fact. But the reason is because you have Tropic Air having fourteen passengers taking off and landing. But it adds. So eventually, they will have to look at perhaps these aircrafts that are called ATRs that handle forty passengers or so. So in one trip from San Pedro, from PGIA to San Pedro, we’re talking about forty passengers in one flight as opposed to one flight that goes to fourteen passengers. The current runway that we have in San Pedro cannot handle that kind of airship. So, it’s about getting bigger flights and becoming more efficient.”

Paul Lopez

“How far along are we with the process? Have we secured land, funding, and material perhaps already for it?”

Andre Perez

“Well, in terms of the funding that has been secured, remember the development that was going to be for the airport, for the roads, for infrastructure, lights, the sewer system as well, water in that place there. The funding has been secured. The land has been secured as well. That is going to be working along with the Social Security lands. The land has been identified. The design has been made already that has met the standards of what IDB has accepted and they liked it very much. So we’re talking about, I believe it’s a seven to eight thousand feet runway. So very much it’s on there. I believe in the next two, three years, the development is going to be happening.”

Perez says he’s moving full speed ahead on the new Ambergris Caye airport, with everything already lined up to start construction in the next few years.

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Coastal Pressures Rise as Perez Drives Airport Plan first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                       Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“First of all, I recognize the cost of living that is very high. It’s something that is happening at a global level, but I’m not detracting from the thoughts on it, especially in San Pedro. And that is why I have been embarking on an ambitious plan to give out lands to our people, getting lands to people, because the only way to empower people is giving them lands to start to build their homes. Now, I heard about the rent being too high, but we need to look at something. There needs to be stronger regulations for those real estate agencies. They are getting away and very soon, very soon, in fact, at the Ministry of Natural Resources, they’re working on new legislation to strengthen the laws that we have these real estate agencies that they have to be kept in check, because they are part and parcel of what is happening in this country, whereby they are able to take the value of land at a higher level and thereby displacing our people. We have to fight that. And that is my aim, to fight by getting lands to our people, which I have been doing and continue to do.”

Paul Lopez

“What are you doing to ensure that that process is not politicized? The criticism is that only politically connected people are getting parcels of land under your leadership.”

Andre Perez

“And I shoot that down again instantly that that’s a pile of hogwash. Let me tell you something. In my office, and I can show the figures and the papers and everything there, who are the ones getting the lands are the younger generation, single mothers and young couples who are born and grown there in that community that are first-time landowners.”

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Perez Responds as UDP Highlights Cost Crunch   first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“Let me answer this way. Two things, it just happened like two weeks ago that we inaugurated this beautiful artisan market. Thanks to BTB and thanks to Minister Mahler, we did this vision. The buildings are very beautiful. The buildings in a setting where we have a beautiful sunset. Now, where you went there and I saw the curtains are closed up, it’s starting. What I want to ask you is that maybe you should have, instead of interviewed that person who you interviewed and he was standing in front of you and standing about the place and everything, without giving any kudos or any kind of giving some time for this to unfold, perhaps you should have interviewed him in front of where the present stalls where these artisan markets. That’s a horse stable. That is not conducive to doing business. So that is where you should have interviewed that gentleman to answer you these questions. What we’re doing is we are uplifting these vendors to go to a better place. Now, we need to do more, of course, working in tandem with the Town Council. We want to do events on the weekend, call it a market day, call it a festivities or not, and that is going to enhance. So, it’s only two weeks. So, it is unfair for anyone to call it and say that it’s not going to, it’s not working. I think that is actually the proverbial blue konkas, that what they can do is spoil. That’s what I call that. So we need to give it some time. It’s just two weeks and the buildings are very beautiful and I’m sure that those that have gotten those buildings are going to benefit in the long term.”

We will be following up with those artisans to hear their thoughts on the project.

Perez Rejects Claims of Caye Caulker Absence

We continue with the latest political dust‑up in Belize Rural South. Area Representative Andre Perez is pushing back hard against claims that he rarely sets foot on Caye Caulker. At Tuesday’s opposition press conference, island resident Samira Martinez called on the minister to spend more time on the island and address local concerns. Well, Perez isn’t having it. He insists he’s been on Caye Caulker regularly and dismissed the criticism as, quote, “a pile of hogwash.”

Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“I want to shoot that down instantly and call it a pile of hogwash. In fact, I was just talking about it, somebody brought that up to my attention, and I’ve been speaking to my people. I believe that since the beginning of the year, I have been six times to Caye Caulker. That’s since January. I’ve been visiting Caye Caulker for many different occasions, for the high school, for the village council meetings. So, whosoever came up with that story there is just trying to create political mischief. I’ve been there longer than anything. In fact, in the past five years I was there, I visited that place almost every month. And of course, the needs are very high. Of course, the Bahia Puesta del Sol, we are working on a project actually to bring in material from San Pedro to Caye Caulker, which is the raw materials. Because, you know, the cost of, and I’ve said it before, and I did discuss that publicly, about the cost of delivering the raw materials that is needed for the streets. You know, we have to look at it smart. So, the material is available in San Pedro, and we want to bring that to Bahai, which already is in process, it’s working. And then in return, we’re going to take some from Caye Caulker to San Pedro. So, it’s a hand-wash-hand situation. So, I don’t know where they’re getting this idea that the minister is missing in action. I think that is false.”

Perez Advances Caye Caulker School Projects

Amid all the political noise in Belize Rural South, Andre Perez actually spent part of his week on the ground in Caye Caulker. His stop wasn’t about defending himself, it was about the future of education on the island. Perez visited Ocean Academy High School alongside Ministry of Education officials to hash out details on the long‑awaited primary and high‑school construction project. He says those talks are moving forward, and there’s a big change coming once the new campus is complete: Ocean Academy will get a new name. The plan is to officially rename it Caye Caulker Government High School when the construction wraps up. It’s a shift Perez says reflects the community’s growth, and the government’s commitment to supporting students on La Isla Cariñosa.

Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“True to our promise held last week when we had a meeting with the parents and the teachers, you know, the community at large, they were very concerned about the issues affecting the Ocean Academy. So we had the team from the Ministry of Education to visit, do a site visit and actually make all the plans on what they’re going to be building. At the heart of it is that while we do expect to start the building of the high school, it’s going to take an entire school year. So the issue was actually planning out and say, can we have something on the side to mitigate? And that’s a discussion that we held, in building a temporary building or whether we build it on site or maybe find somewhere else that is going to be more time-saving and cost-saving as well. So the option that was discussed is perhaps considering building a temporary structure on the primary school, the Catholic school. So that’s an option that’s being discussed. But in the end, it was very, very fruitful. I believe the community came out really happy that we are making great strides in building the school next school year. Hopefully by next year, we have that high school ready for Caye Caulker.”

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Perez Accuses Zetina of “Blue Koncas” Politics first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                          Gabriel Zetina

Gabriel Zetina, UDP Caretaker, Belize Rural South

“A lot of people that coming to San Pedro, they are the working class. They migrate from Belize to here, again tying back to tourism, they come to work here. So we need to start seeing if we can create a draft or a bill to regulate the rent fees. It has to be done. If we can somehow create a property act or a rent act to address this issue. I think that will be the first step for us to regulate it. And it is not an initiative for only myself, but collectively as the government.”

Heredia, Zetina Decry Politicized Land Deals in San Pedro

Zetina isn’t only pushing for rent reform, he’s also calling out what he says are serious abuses in land distribution. He points to residents who’ve held lease land for years, only to find out someone else quietly got the title. One man at Wednesday’s press conference said he worked for years to secure his purchase price, but a trip to Belmopan showed the land had already been given away. Former area rep Manuel Heredia backed up the complaints, arguing that land on the island is being handed out to political loyalists instead of people with genuine need.

                       Gabriel Zetina

Gabriel Zetina, UDP Caretaker, Belize Rural South

“But then he keeps telling the working class that he will distribute land, but land is already being distributed and lets go further, likewise like my friend spoke just now, a family man with three kids, he has been living on that property for fifteen years, he had an existing lease, he applied for purchase price. He was told he would get it. He even sought out the area representative to assist him in expediting the process, just to be run around and then finally he went to Belmopan just to find out that he lost that by someone else who already has title when he has been in the process for so long, how is that.”

Manuel Heredia

Manuel Heredia, Former Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“The existent area rep has been promising land to people, go and put your name over there and then you will be given a piece of land. The other day he said on the media he distributed eight hundred lots, to whom? Those are specially connected people. Not in my days when it did not matter if you are a UDP or a PUP, it went by merit. If the need was there then you were given. And I was the one that raised it in Cabinet, because before coming to government land was at discretion.”

Resident Urges Area Rep: ‘Show Up, Listen’

And just a short boat ride away, frustration is also boiling over in Caye Caulker, where resident Samira Martinez says the island has been neglected for years and is calling on the area representative to show up, listen, and address the community’s most basic needs. Here is what she had to say.

                               Samira Martinez

Samira Martinez, Caye Caulker Resident

“I want to say that Caye caulker, we should stop being neglected, period. Caye Caulker has been neglected for years. Our area rep needs to have a better working relationship with the village council. Our area rep needs to come and try visit the people, mainly of Bahia. Everybody in that community, we all have needs. Some people really heavily depend on the government to survive and I am of the belief that the government is using that. They are keeping the people poor, keeping the people uneducated, praying the people don’t wake up so they can continue to control the masses. Area rep start paying attention to Caye Caulker. Start visiting your people. Remember they are the ones that got you there.”

Calls Grow for Stronger Caye Caulker Safety

That frustration deepened as Martinez also raised alarm over rising violence on the island, saying Caye Caulker is no longer the peaceful haven it once was and calling for permanent police presence and more youth programs to keep young people safe.

                          Samira Martinez

Samira Martinez, Caye Caulker Resident

“The residents are concerned, mainly for their children. There is an entire new generation of children coming up. Caye Caulker use to be a safe haven, a safe zone. I grew up there. This generation will never be able to know the kind of peace that Caye Caulker use to have and I mentioned earlier. We need to have permanently stationed police officer in Caye Caulker and have them revisit their training every six months or so, whatever they see fit and we need to engage the youths in activities, teach them about life, teach them what it is to be a law abiding citizen. The youths are the ones being targeted. We need to have a loving harmonious relationship with the police and members of the community.”

Martinez says the community now wants more than promises, they want their area rep to show up, tackle longstanding neglect, and help restore the sense of safety Caye Caulker once knew.

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Zetina Demands Action on Sky‑High San Pedro Rent first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Anthony Mahler

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“The black eye happened already. The three young ladies have passed. Now it’s just a court case. Whatever the courts decide, I will support that. These things should never happen and we should take much more pride and accountability. We should have much more accountability in terms of when we’re building buildings to accommodate people, especially in the tourist sector.”

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Mahler Supports Push for Royal Kahal Accountability first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Gabriel Zetina

Gabriel Zetina, UDP Caretaker, Belize Rural South

“This is what they are saying. It is completely different than what they are saying. I call it propaganda and its messaging because we don’t have any tourists coming. There is no incentive for them to come here at the back and that is why the artisans are not too happy with it. It took them years to build the reputation and get that current location where they are at known by the tourists and they did it all on their own. Now, if you are bringing the people here, one of the things you have to look at is the rent cost and the marketing. How will you attract tourist here. It is not only about having a nice building and kudos to them, but it is about at the end of the day, they have to be able to pay their rent and make a living for themselves and their family and if there is no tourist then the objective is not met and that is, I feel like that was done with no proper consultation.”

Mahler Says Development May Mean Some Inconvenience

And we put the concerns to Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler. He says that development may mean inconvenience for some, but the bottom line is San Pedro cannot continue to be the premiere destination of Belize with eyesores around the town.

Anthony Mahler

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“A part of phase one project  is a dock. And it slips so that they can get in and out of the area. But if you look at the other half that wasn’t done, it’s in a dire state. And so San Pedro can’t be the tourism mecca and continue to look like that. We have to make some major investments on that island for it to come up to a truly world class destination. We have world class, a world class reef in front of it – World Heritage site, and have other resources nearby but the infrastructure on the island needs to be vastly improved.”

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast:

The post Zetina Criticizes Location of New San Pedro Artisan Market first appeared on Greater Belize Media.